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Name: SCHNEIDER, Théophile (Father)

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Birth Date: 30.6.1869 Leutenheim, Alsace

Death Date: 23.9.1941 Saverne, France

Nationality: German

First Date: 1904

Last Date: 1905

Profession: Missionary

Area: Nairobi

Book Reference: North

General Information:

North - Holy Ghost Father - St. Joseph's Mission, Nairobi Sept 1904; recalled to Europe, dep. Zanzibar 20/2/1905
Henry J. Koren, Spiritan East African Memorial, 1994: Together with 53 other priests-novices, he made his profession on August 15,
1894 at Orly and was appointed to the Vicariate of North Zanguebar. On November 14 of the same year he embarked, together with two other Fathers, for his destination. Bp. de Courmont placed him at Mandera before the end of 1894 to leam the language and how to proceed in his approach to the people. He performed so well that he soon became the local head of his mission. ln late 1897 we find him at Bagamoyo in charge of the mission children and two years later he went to Kilema as head of that mission. There he organized the catechetical program on a sound basis. He realized that the catechists' authority would be enhanced if young men with leadership abilities were selected for this
task. The value of the system that he established bore lasting fruit. Within a few years the catechists became models of Christian life who attracted others to a living Christian faith. After serving as head of the Morogoro mission, he left for Europe in February 190S. Then family needs made it necessary for him to assume a position which would enable him to come to its assistance. At that time it was unthinkable that a member of a religious order would be allowed to live alone outside a community; thus he reluctantly withdrew from the Congregation to serve as a prison chaplain. After World War One, however, he was happy to return to it and on October 26, 1920, he renewed his vows. From 1925 on he occupied leadership positions as superior of the Neufgrange novitiate and of the Blotzheim junior seminary of the Congregation.

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